Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms MTG Card


Halvar allows cost-free equipment switches during combat, enhancing adaptability and tactical advantage. Although not cheap on mana, Halvar’s ability to optimize equipment use offsets the investment required. The modal nature of Halvar adds strategic depth, fitting various deck types and combat scenarios.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — God
Abilities Equip
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Creatures you control that are enchanted or equipped have double strike. At the beginning of each combat, you may attach target Aura or Equipment attached to a creature you control to target creature you control.


Cards like Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms

Halvar, God of Battle stands tall in the pantheon of equip-centric cards within the Magic: The Gathering universe. A similar powerhouse in this realm is Sigarda’s Aid, allowing players to attach equipment as soon as it hits the field, much like Halvar’s ability to move equipment around in the heat of combat. However, Halvar distinctively doubles as a creature and an equipment, weaving flexibility into decks that Sigarda’s Aid can’t match.

We also observe Puresteel Paladin in this milieu, an ally to artifact lovers, rewarding players for each equipment cast with the potential for card draw. Nonetheless, Halvar, God of Battle, offers a more aggressive approach, potentially transforming the dynamic of battle immediately upon arrival. Then there’s Armory Automaton, another card that interacts favorably with equipment. Unlike Halvar, the Automaton must enter the battlefield or attack to scoop up equipment, making Halvar’s static ability to reassign gear round-to-round notably more versatile.

Assessing Halvar, God of Battle against its counterparts reveals a unique dual nature not just for the robust interaction with equipment, but for the adaptability it brings to MTG strategies—blurring the lines between creature, equipment, and game-changing tactics.

Sigarda's Aid - MTG Card versions
Puresteel Paladin - MTG Card versions
Armory Automaton - MTG Card versions
Sigarda's Aid - MTG Card versions
Puresteel Paladin - MTG Card versions
Armory Automaton - MTG Card versions

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Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Halvar, God of Battle gives players an edge by allowing them to switch equipment at no cost during their combat phase, ensuring they always have the best equipment attached for any situation.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not creating resources directly, Halvar’s ability to optimize equipment use can be akin to resource acceleration, as it saves the mana typically spent on equipping items.

Instant Speed: While Halvar itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the flexibility given by his ability to move equipment can lead to instant-like advantages during combat, making it a versatile tool in your arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Halvar, God of Battle offers versatility and powerful effects, it does not have a direct discard mechanic as a downside. However, its optimal use can pressure players into discarding other cards from their hand to make room for the equipment strategy that Halvar encourages.

Specific Mana Cost: Halvar demands a precise mana investment with two white and two generic mana. This constrains deck design, favoring those that can consistently produce the necessary white mana, potentially restricting diversity in deck-building choices.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four mana required to summon Halvar can be considered steep, especially since players aim to cast him early to capitalize on his abilities. This cost places him in competition with other impactful four-mana options within the white color pie or multicolored choices, possibly overshadowing his inclusion in some strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Halvar, God of Battle offers exceptional versatility, as it’s a modal double-faced card. Players can cast it either as a powerful creature that can bolster their board presence or as an equipment that offers a significant boost to a creature of their choice. This adaptability makes it a valuable addition to various deck types, enhancing their flexibility in responding to different in-game scenarios.

Combo Potential: With the ability to move equipment at the start of each combat, Halvar can fit neatly into synergistic strategies. This could lead to powerful combinations with cards that have equipped creature triggers, or simply provide a way to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield, by reallocating equipment for optimal impact each turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based tactics are prevalent, Halvar has the potential to shine. Its ability to turn any equipped creature into a double threat—not only do they typically become larger and more menacing, but they can now attack with vigilance—means that decks capitalizing on Halvar’s strengths can maintain a robust offense without leaving their defenses too thin.


How to Beat

Halvar, God of Battle shines in Magic: The Gathering, embodying versatility and strength with its double-faced card nature. On one side, we have the creature aspect—a God boasting a formidable 4/4 stat line with the ability to equip creatures at no cost during your turn. Crossing over, Sword of the Realms wields the ability to boost a creature’s combat prowess and returns equipped creatures to your hand upon their demise. This duality makes it a powerhouse in equipment-focused strategies.

To effectively tackle Halvar, pinpoint removal spells are key. Because Halvar can instantly equip to make any creature a major threat, immediate answers like Path to Exile or Doom Blade disrupt this synergy before your opponent can capitalize on the free equip feature. Moreover, board wipes play a pivotal role. Sweeping away multiple creatures mitigates the inherent advantage Halvar provides. Should Halvar be in artifact form, enchantments like Disenchant or targeting artifact removal ensure that the Sword of the Realms doesn’t start recycling creatures. In essence, swift and direct removal—or hindering Halvar’s equip mechanic—stands as the best method to dull the battle god’s edge in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Kaldheim, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 882022015Modal DFCBlackMilivoj Ćeran
22021-02-05KaldheimKHM 2992015Modal DFCBlackMilivoj Ćeran
32021-02-05KaldheimKHM 152015Modal DFCBlackLie Setiawan
42021-02-05Kaldheim Art SeriesAKHM 22015Art seriesBorderlessLie Setiawan
52021-02-05Kaldheim PromosPKHM 15s2015Modal DFCBlackLie Setiawan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-02-05 A creature you control is enchanted or equipped if there’s an Aura or an Equipment attached to it. You don’t have to control that Aura or Equipment.
2021-02-05 A modal double-faced card can’t be transformed or be put onto the battlefield transformed. Ignore any instruction to transform a modal double-faced card or to put one onto the battlefield transformed.
2021-02-05 If Sword of the Realms is attached to a token creature that dies, the Sword’s triggered ability will trigger, but the token will cease to exist after going to the graveyard. It won’t be returned to its owner’s hand.
2021-02-05 If an effect allows you to play a land or cast a spell from among a group of cards, you may play or cast a modal double-faced card with any face that fits the criteria of that effect.
2021-02-05 If an effect allows you to play a specific modal double-faced card, you may cast it as a spell or play it as a land, as determined by which face you choose to play. If an effect allows you to cast (rather than “play”) a specific modal double-faced card, you can’t play it as a land.
2021-02-05 If an effect instructs a player to choose a card name, the name of either face may be chosen. If that effect or a linked ability refers to a spell with the chosen name being cast and/or a land with the chosen name being played, it considers only the chosen name, not the other face’s name.
2021-02-05 If an effect puts a double-faced card onto the battlefield, it enters with its front face up. If that front face can’t be put onto the battlefield, it doesn’t enter the battlefield.
2021-02-05 If either target of the triggered ability is an illegal target as the ability resolves, the ability won’t do anything. If both targets are illegal, the ability won’t resolve. If the Aura or Equipment is already attached to the target creature, nothing happens.
2021-02-05 If the creature equipped by Sword of the Realms dies but leaves the graveyard before the triggered ability resolves, it won’t be returned to its owner’s hand. It will just stay wherever it went.
2021-02-05 In the Commander variant, a double-faced card’s color identity is determined by the mana costs and mana symbols in the rules text of both faces combined. If either face has a color indicator or basic land type, those are also considered.
2021-02-05 Similarly, you don’t have to control the Aura or Equipment that you choose as a target of Halvar’s triggered ability, but it must be attached to a creature you control.
2021-02-05 The converted mana cost of a modal double-faced card is based on the characteristics of the face that’s being considered. On the stack and battlefield, consider whichever face is up. In all other zones, consider only the front face. This is different than how the converted mana cost of a transforming double-faced card is determined.
2021-02-05 There is a single triangle icon in the top left corner of the front face. There is a double triangle icon in the top left corner of the back face.
2021-02-05 To determine whether it is legal to play a modal double-faced card, consider only the characteristics of the face you’re playing and ignore the other face’s characteristics.